Francis E. Whalen, 83, of New Haven, died in East Haven on May 8.  He was the husband of Jeanne Roche Whalen. Francis was born in Ansonia on Aug. 31, 1928, son of the late Thomas J. and Margaret Grady Whalen, Sr.  He was a graduate of Hamden High School and received his BA degree from the University of New Haven. He had also served with the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 and was employed for over 23 years as a mail destination administrator for the U.S. Postal Service. In addition, he had been employed by the former First National Grocery Store in East Haven and Pegnataro's Market in New Haven.

Francis was a member of the Secular Order of St. Francis, the Branford Elks Lodge, the Connecticut Irish American Historical Society, and the Ethnic Heritage Center at Southern Connecticut State University. He was also a former member of the Irish American Community Center. Francis was a Friend of Bill W.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two children, Daniel F. Whalen and Leslie R. Whalen, both of North Carolina; two stepchildren, Brian Vitelli, DVM, of Guilford and Diana Vitelli O'Brien of Deep River; and five grandchildren, Kenneth O'Brien, Jr., Sean O’Brien, Brendan O'Brien, Kaitlyn Vitelli, and Courtney Whalen.  He is also survived by his brother, James J. Whalen, Jr. of Hamden. He was predeceased by his brother, James M. Whalen.

His funeral procession will leave the Clancy Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven, on Saturday, May 12, at 8:30 a.m., for a mass of Christian burial at St. Bernadette Church at 9 a.m.  Private burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, May 11, from 4 to 8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Bernadette Church, 385 Townsend Ave., New Haven, CT 06512.  www.clancyfuneralhome.com